Mills ready for a better playoff run starting with Memphis

1of4Spurs’ Patty Mills drives around the New York Knicks’ Derrick Rose during second half action on March 25, 2017 at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-98.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

4of4Patty Mills gets in front of Mike Conlee and draws a reach in foul as the Spurs host the Grizzlies at the AT&T Center on March 23, 2017.Photo: Tom Reel /San Antonio Express-News

About a month ago, Patty Mills was asked if he had any flashbacks about last season’s playoff run.

Mills said he didn’t dwell on the second round series loss to Oklahoma City. In fact, the Spurs’ backup point guard did not think about it unless asked to do so.

Less than 24 hours before a new playoff run was to commence, Mills’ stance had changed. The flashbacks arrived. The lessons learned are now being remembered. Mills is ready to redeem himself as the Spurs start their quest for championship No. 6.

“The absence in the playoffs in the second round doesn’t sit well with me,” said Mills. “Going back and picturing who I was then and making sure that doesn’t happen again is how I want to be involved throughout these playoffs. Making an impact as much as you can on both ends of the floor and that’s something I didn’t do last year, especially offensively.”

Rewind to the series against the Thunder, Mills’ numbers took a hit from the 10.5 points and 43.5 percent shooting from three in the first round sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged four points and shot just 23.1 percent on 3-pointers against the Thunder. He did not score over five points in the six games.

“It fuels the fire to go back and think about it,” said Mills.

The Spurs can’t afford to have Mills slip again. NBA scouts view him as one of the team’s difference makers, noting it’s almost mandatory he scores for the Spurs to succeed.

The numbers prove the point. When Mills scored at least 10 points this season, the Spurs went 36-2. When he hit at least half of his 3-point shots, they were 28-3.

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Playoff pillar

The Spurs are in the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season, tied for the third-longest streak in NBA history:

22: Philadelphia (1950-1971)

21: Portland (1983-2003)

20: Spurs (1998-2017)

20: Utah 20 (1984-2003)

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This season, Mills averaged 9.5 points on 41.3 percent shooting, his highest production since 2013-14 in both categories. It was that version of Mills that drove Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, then a Miami Heat assistant, crazy when he recalled Mills’ five games against the Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals. Mills shot 56.3 percent from three, averaging 10.2 points to help the Spurs capture their fifth championship.

“Patty Mills destroyed me in the finals,” said Fizdale. “The kid can shoot as soon as he walks into the gym and plays with incredible energy and competition. I have a ton of respect for that kid.”

But even if the shots aren’t falling, Mills wants to continue being a pest on defense, something he returned to in the regular season. He finished second on the team in charges drawn (nine) and recovered loose balls (54) and fourth in deflections (116). Mills feels his defensive play can help set the tone.

“It tends to trickle down the line to other guys to play the same way,” he said. “Getting up on the ball. Getting deflections, turnovers and running out of that. There are ways to be able to stay in the game and I think that’s the lesson learned from the second round (last year).”

Asked if Gregg Popovich said anything to him on how important it is he performs well this playoff run, Mills said no.

“I don’t think he or anyone else needs to,” said Mills. “I think that’s the accountability that I put on myself and make sure I do what’s best for the team however that is.”

Manu Ginobili couldn’t recall too much of Mills’ performance against the Thunder, but said the bench as a whole, not just Mills, will need to make their impact felt against the Grizzles.

“We got a deep team and we have to use that against a team whose biggest strength is not that,” said Ginobili.

Though Mills isn’t putting extra pressure on himself, he clearly understands the role he must play for the Spurs to not only beat the Grizzlies, but get out of the Western Conference. An average version of Mills will not suffice.

“The feeling is there,” said Mills. “It’s playoffs. Now let’s go and compete.”